March 17: Evacuation Day

In portions of Massachusetts, March 17 is celebrated as Evacuation Day. At first glance, that doesn’t sound like much of a holiday, but it’s actually a very neat historical holiday. On March 17, 1776, the British armies retreated from Boston, after nearly a year long siege. This evacuation was the first real American victory of the Revolutionary War. Psychologically, this made a huge difference to the colonists, and, thus, to the war as a whole.

You can celebrate today by learning about the the Revolutionary War in general and the Siege of Boston in particular. If you live in Massachusetts, you may be able to attend a parade or perhaps a reenactment.

Of course, we all know that March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day as well, so don’t forget to wear your green!

“Praise be to the Lord,
for he showed me the wonders of his love
when I was in a city under siege.
In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”
Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.”
Psalm 31:21-22